We are seeing more and more with Leopard seeds that Apple is growing fond of the color black. Let's assume for a second that Apple uses iTunes 7 as a model for it's new Leopard UI. Which is not to far fetched being that iTunes is relatively new, and is noticeably different from iTunes 6 and Tiger in certain specific aspects of its UI. Most noticeably Aqua appears to be gone in iTunes 7.

Step one, change all Aqua blue scroll bars from blue to the new iTunes color. In this case black would be too strong a color as it would drag the users eyes unnecessarily away from what they are doing to the side of the screen. I suspect Apple chose that particular new gray/blue color so the scroll bars would get out of the way, and eventually begin to look good too.

Next going with that utilitarian look that is present in iTunes 7, in which Apple almost suggests that usefullness is more important than looks, even at the expense of looks (but let's not underestimate how long Apple's UI designers took to choose that color for the scroll bars, and their reasons for picking it, and their reasons for killing most if not all Aqua present too). Actually the more I look at iTunes 7, the more I like it, and I think Apple wanted it that way. Initial woh, then acceptance, then the penny drops as to why they did it, then.. actually now I like it, and I'll tell you why.

This iTunes 7 UI would also apply to all Aqua buttons system wide too, they would all be replaced for more utilitarian push-like buttons, that appear to move instead of just changing color.

Take the source list in iTunes 7. Why did Apple go with the near black color to show what section you have chosen in iTunes. Simple, black stands out, and black is the opposite to white. Black stands out, so the user can see with ease which section they are in, and being the opposite color to white it also highlights the white font title of that section best at the same time. So here's a new UI design idea that's already proven to have worked, and may I suggest it works better then the old ideas. Then why not use it system wide. Yes that's right, i said system wide. That means black spotlight icon and drop down box for spotlight, black apple in menu bar, and black to highlight menu selections instead of blue. In fact black to highlight selections everywhere. Black to highlight what Mail message you have selected, black in Finder, black everywhere. White text shows up more on black than it does on blue. So in that case black, black, black!

i think we are better off leaving choice of theme colours to the experts - Apple. I am sure they pump many millions of £/$ into research, and I have every faith that they *know* what the general Apple Mac user wants. I think if they shipped the OS with the default config, and left the *individual* owner to decide what looks best on their personal machine (which maybe they do i dunno... I'm an Apple n00b!) then this is the best resolution!.

I realise you said your idea was controversial, but I think well be seeing something iTunes 7-esque in Leopard, with the grey-purple colour scrollbars, and shiny black gloss. Now that I've got used to it, I wouldnt really mind if Leopard went that way.

I realise you said your idea was controversial, but I think well be seeing something iTunes 7-esque in Leopard, with the grey-purple colour scrollbars, and shiny black gloss. Now that I've got used to it, I wouldnt really mind if Leopard went that way.

I think the topic starter is right. (allthough the idea is not controversal since itunes 7)

Apple has finally realised that a more professional looking operating system is the way to go.

And I think its true that itunes 7 is indicative of what leopard or 10.6 will look, IE more black highlights (are they actually slightly colored towards blue?)

Light gray/ white/ black with almost gray scrollers and light colored icons is very sleek, and professional looking, yet still friendly.

A bit like the userinterfaces of professional 3d software like lightwave and others.

Also the way they have put the "headlines" to the left in Itunes (Library, Store, Playlists) is a quite new direction to go. Its almost the like using oldschool printed text, to create hierarchy (large font, bold letters, capitalized). It looks cool and intuative in a new way.

I would really like to get rid of brushed metal and candy colloured scrollers.

But i dont think the apple icon in the apple menu will ever be black.
Look at the itunes interface again. Black text, black/blue highlights, light black/gray/grayish backgrounds, but coloured ICONS. You want icons to have colour.

I, however, would prefer a totally new UI - something completely different from anything we've seen so far. Sadly, it looks like that is not going to happen, not at least with Leopard.

I hear 10.6 is going to get 100% voice control over any file or application, even the OS itself. Best part, no need for a Hot Key. There will also be a Multiple Touch, Screen thing (OK, I saw that really cool video in Gametrailers that someone linked to but I forgot the name of it -_-) to replace both the Keyboard, and the current screen. The Trackpad/Mouse will disappear, and for the hardcore, there will be mind control for the Terminal, sadly you won't be able to control everything with your mind yet, just the Terminal because it will be an unfinished technology, but will continue progress so 10.7 will offer full Mind Control instead. You will still have the option of using the old UI though, but there is a catch. Everything will be in GREEN!!!!!

I hear 10.6 is going to get 100% voice control over any file or application, even the OS itself. Best part, no need for a Hot Key. There will also be a Multiple Touch, Screen thing (OK, I saw that really cool video in Gametrailers that someone linked to but I forgot the name of it -_-) to replace both the Keyboard, and the current screen. The Trackpad/Mouse will disappear, and for the hardcore, there will be mind control for the Terminal, sadly you won't be able to control everything with your mind yet, just the Terminal because it will be an unfinished technology, but will continue progress so 10.7 will offer full Mind Control instead. You will still have the option of using the old UI though, but there is a catch. Everything will be in GREEN!!!!!

in which Apple almost suggests that usefullness is more important than looks, even at the expense of looks (but let's not underestimate how long Apple's UI designers took to choose that color for the scroll bars, and their reasons for picking it, and their reasons for killing most if not all Aqua present too).

this and other comments just makes me think of "what about the holy stone of clonrickert?"

it only takes 1 person with a good eye for colour to pick them, everyone else agrees, and it becomes the accepted norm. .. no real magic in it, just an artistic flare

Given the brightness of current LCD monitors, a darker color scheme would be easier on the eyes. I use a Shapeshifter theme to give me dark menues, window backdrops, etc. and created a custom desktop which is also dark gray.

Given the brightness of current LCD monitors, a darker color scheme would be easier on the eyes. I use a Shapeshifter theme to give me dark menues, window backdrops, etc. and created a custom desktop which is also dark gray.

I didn't mean dark menus, just dark selections. The Menus would still be white, and so would the spotlight menu etc., but the location the mouse cursor is selecting, and the spotlight and apple icons would be black instead of blue. It's all about ease-of-use, and I highly doubt Apple would change the white to gray or black.

I didn't mean dark menus, just dark selections. The Menus would still be white, and so would the spotlight menu etc., but the location the mouse cursor is selecting, and the spotlight and apple icons would be black instead of blue. It's all about ease-of-use, and I highly doubt Apple would change the white to gray or black.

Sadly, it seems Black is the way Apple is going. Even the iPod and the Macbook agree with you
Oh well, I'll just smile and laugh it off until I'm green in the face

Remember Graphite? It looks pretty black-ish to me. ;-) It has a black/gray apple, a black/gray spotlight icon, black/gray scrolls bars, and probably more. Those are just a few things that I noticed when I switched over to Graphite. And I have to say: it didn't look that appealing. COLOR is a great thing; especially for the apple and the spotlight icon.

Remember Graphite? It looks pretty black-ish to me. ;-) It has a black/gray apple, a black/gray spotlight icon, black/gray scrolls bars, and probably more. Those are just a few things that I noticed when I switched over to Graphite. And I have to say: it didn't look that appealing. COLOR is a great thing; especially for the apple and the spotlight icon.

I happen to think that Apple is moving towards black/silver, and away from White. Also, I think you will be able to choose "Aqua" or "Black Cherry" (just using something that someone said here), instead of being forced to use the new UI. I also think that we will get some radical improvements -- Apple has to do this, so they stand out from Vista. And most of all, I think Leopard will be a transition in the way we look at OS's -- as in, maybe Leopard will introduce new things, and 10.6 and on will improve on them.

I have no basis on this, but I have a feeling I am right. But I could be wrong.